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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-07-92 WS '--' MINUTES OF THE OCOEE BOARD OF CITY COKKISSIONERS SOLID WASTE WORK SESSION JANUARY 7, 1992 Mayor Dabbs called the meeting to order in the commission chambers at 6:00 p.m. and announced to approximately 40 citizens present that this workshop was scheduled to give citizens an opportunity to speak regarding the City's sanitation service. PRESENT: Mayor Dabbs, Commissioners Combs, Foster, Johnson, and Woodson. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, Administrative Services Director Beamer, Public Works Director Brenner, Building Official Flippen, Finance Supervisor Batts, and City Clerk Grafton. ABSENT: None COKKENTS ON THE SOLID VASTE SERVICE City Manager Shapiro explained the City's position on the recent rate increases and changes in operation, saying that the Federal government made new laws regarding solid waste disposal and that the County rules regarding disposal had not been strictly enforced until now. The need to separate garbage has become pressing because of such problems as continuous burning of the methane gas produced by the mixed refuse. The solid waste service has been subsidized by the General Fund, but as an enterprise fund it should be self-sustaining. Mr. Bill Real, 605 Banderas, said he wants to know why we have the highest rates. He suggested that one of the reasons could be poor scheduling as the chipper went down his street four times without stopping one day. Mr. Real said he has a small ~ number of bags of garbage to put out, that once a week pick up would be sufficient and he would approve of privatization. Mr. R.P. Mohnacky, 1820 Prairie Lake Boulevard, said that the collectors should use more hustle to increase productivity, and that the City should be working on composting. He asked if the City was making money on recycling yet and the answer was no. Mr. SaithBranch, 428 E. Lakeshore Drive, said that we have gone from one extreme to another - from back door service to very picky. He suggested privatization for certain areas. Mr. Branch asked if anyone other than those on the Over 65 Program were receiving free service and if a new law discontinuing that service has been passed. The answer was no to both questions. Mr. Harold Switzer, 609 E. Lakeshore Drive, said that he thinks Staff did not do their homework before raising rates and in his conversation with citizens, consensus is that we need to cut back. Mr. Chet Setaram, 499 Kindling Court, talked about composting and said that instead of making a golf course, portions of that 240 acres should be divided among citizens to make compost piles. '-" Mrs. Vicki Kari, 727 Lakeview Drive, said she had to call five times because Lakeview Village was skipped and the phone rang a long time each time before she got through to the office. She said also that the citizens in that village are not putting their cans in the back yard after they are emptied. Mr. Pablo Quinones, 720 Lakeview Drive, asked if the garbage service could be put on the tax bill. He spoke also about the yard clippings and said that other cities have once a year tree pickup. '-' Page 2 Ocoee City Commission Solid Waste Work Session January 7, 1992 Mr. Kermit Bushur, 441 Vandergrift, said that a corner lot owner has more area to clear up and asked that they be given a break. Mr. Harold Switzer said he objected to once a week pickup as Florida is no place for left over garbage. City Manager Shapiro said that if the City provided 1-1-1 service the rates could go back to $13.50. Mr. Robert Lyle, 510 West Street, said that, as a former City Commissioner, he was familiar with the problems facing Commission now, but that it appears that the present Commission/Staff feel that citizens' pockets are deep. Mr. Lyle said that the City should provide acceptable service for the lowest possible cost, and that the sanitation service should be subsidized as it was in the past. Mr. Lyle asked about the Denmark trip and was advised that it would be discussed in the regular meeting. Mr. Lyle mentioned the debt service incurred and said we need to tighten up. He suggested also getting information on the street so citizens can know what is going on. Mayor Dabbs pointed out that Federal Revenue Sharing was used to purchase sanitation trucks during Mr. Lyle's tenure, but that is no longer the case. City Manager Shapiro said that in addition to that fact, funds were not set aside at that time to replace the equipment as it depreciated. '-' Jim Vortham, 104 Miller Court, asked whose decision it was to not pick up Christmas trees. Public Yorks Director Brenner said that information was published in the newspaper that those trees can be delivered to A.D.Mims Road for chipping, which is still the case, but that a decision has been made to pick up those left on the curb as well now. Ms. Lisa Morton, Sawmill Subdivision, said she had bought a mulching lawnmower as a result of the new rules and asked if people who have done that can get a credit. City Manager Shapiro said that one option the City has is to reduce the rate to $16.00 then sell tickets for clippings to be picked up. Mrs. Sherry Wolski, 607 E. Lakeshore Drive, said you cannot raise prices and reduce service. Mayor Dabbs asked for public opinion of "City Limits," a recent publication put out by Staff. Those in the audience responded with mixed opinions - from "waste of money" to "very informative". A citizen asked what size tree limbs must be cut to in order for them to be picked up. Public Yorks Director Brenner said that small stacks placed neatly roadside will be picked up and the cost is included in the rates. '-' Mr. Louis Landefeld, 512 E. Lakeshore Drive, said to please consider that every proposal has fat in it and the cost of this service should be pared down without reducing the service. He said the street cleaner has not been around for a very long time. Public Works Director Brenner said that it is old equipment and repair parts are hard to locate, but that it should be back in service in about a month. '----.-- Page 3 Ocoee City Commission Solid Waste Vork Session January 7, 1992 City Manager Shapiro said that he will have an internal audit done and he has already hired someone to do it. The report should be ready in early February and another town meeting will be scheduled. Mayor Dabbs asked how many in the audience think that the sanitation service should pay for itself rather than be subsidized. Approximately one-third of those present thought it should be self-supporting and five citizens thought it should be subsidized. Mr. Keith Butts, 302 Sabinal, said that if the citizens are paying the highest prices they should be getting the best service. Mr. Butts asked how much of the garbage pickup is offset by recycling. He said that leaving the garbage cans out looks tacky and he reminded citizens to bring their cans in. Mrs. Ileana Tripp, 2202 Essex Drive, said she is all for recycling but does not appreciate all the extra work required to meet the rules, and then to have to pay more is bad. Mr. Brian Jones, 614 Palomas, suggested going to 1-1-1 pickup because, if it does not work out, that is fixable. Mr. Quinones spoke again about having trees that need to be cut twice a year. Mr. Mohnacky suggested putting perishable scraps in the freezer until pickup day. COKKISSIONERS' COKMENTS Commissioner Woodson said he wants the extra bags picked up now. Commissioner Combs said he thinks 1-1-1 service would be a good solution. Commissioner Foster said that there is a $2.00 difference per month with 1-1-1 and most folks would not freeze their garbage and that unless there was an overwhelming reason for it he is opposed to 1-1-1. Commissioner Combs pointed out that Mr. Shapiro had said the fee would be $13.50 with composting and recycling. Commissioner Johnson said he prefers to stay with the 2-1-1 service. He asked how many citizens went to the County to complain that they were raising their rates and causing the City to have to raise their rates. He assured the citizens that no one at this table wants to gouge the citizens. ADJOURNKElfT The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.